Posted by M. W. Myers, D.V.M. on April 02, 2002 at 21:08:51:
In Reply to: Re: Helping out. posted by Ben on April 01, 2002 at 19:50:20:
: : : Situation: Young female shoer gets pregnant and needs help to keep her customers happy and waiting for her to come back. She has a good customer base and makes good money and has some really good horses to work with. Problem is that a few of them are not that good, at least not for the person stepping in to help out. I have had some problems with horses that fight with their back feet or just won't stand still. The ones that are fighting are young and are getting their first shoes (trimmed many times, but not liking the nailing)and I have had to use side lines to do the back feet. The owner was there, ok'd the whole thing and even started the process. Only problem is that I hit my thumb doing one and then it pulled a back foot before a nail got wrung off and now have some nice cuts to cover up each day. This is not a huge problem because the horses are not mean, they just need to learn a little more and be handled correctly between farriers visits. I know this is not being done to any great extent, maybe a little in some cases, but if that nail had gone deeper into my hand, I may need the help to cover my business. I'm helping out some one else, trying to get my name and reputation out and build my business, but in doing so I am doing horses that I would not take if I had to make the choice for myself. I've read it here many times, pack the truck and move on until the owners get the horse trained for the farrier, but in this case it's not only my business that I have to think of, some of these are her best and longest lasting customers and I don't want to cause her any problems since she is a great source of new customers(all have been very good so far) and most of her customers are very good. I don't want to lose any business for her or myself, but I don't want to get hurt and lose the whole thing either.
: : : OK, so now you've heard my sob story, question is: Do I burn bridges or suffer building new ones for a couple of months? Is this a suck it up and finish the job situation or a walk away and live to shoe another day type deal?
: : : I'm not going to let this gal down and ruin her business, I will keep working and do the work as safely as possible and hand her business back to her in tact. Is this crazy or just one of those learn from your experience things?
: : : Thanks for listening to my rambling, any responses will be appreciated, maybe this will help others to look before you leap. Helping others in a time of need is a good thing, just make sure you know what your getting into. Thanks! Ben
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: : Drugs, Ben, Drugs.
: : If you have argeeded to a job I would follow through to a point. My point would be the no injury to me and I would use the services of a vet.
: : Just my thinking.
: : Ray Miller
: Thanks Ray, my thoughts exactly afterI sat and read my own post a couple of times. With helping this gal out I am working on about 220 head and can not afford to get hurt at this time, so the vet/drug fix will be the answer. Thanks again. Ben
Just a note to help. These owners are often not aware how dangerous the situaiton is to all concerned and you may not be able to convince them of this. I ussually do not even go there. If it appears this is a "pet" horse, I approach the sedation avenue with the fact it is far less psychologically damaging to the horse than to try a hurried and probably unsuccessful "training session" from the farrier and owner on the spur of the moment. If this training is not fully successful then much damage has been done. Sedate now and work on training for the next farrier visit tomorrow and until you return to resume the trimming.
M. W. Myers, D.V.M.